The late leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Il has been awarded numerous titles as the country marked his 70th birthday. A large bronze statue was unveiled on Tuesday, along with other activities to mark the occasion.

Bronze statues of late Democratic People's Republic of Krea (DPRK) leaders Kim Il-sung (L) and Kim Jong-il (R) are unveiled in Pyongyang, DPRK, on Feb. 14, 2012. [Xinhua]

The DPRK's top military and political bodies issued a decree conferring the honor on Kim Jong Il, who would have turned 70 on Thursday.

The decree says, Kim Jong Il strengthened the Korean People's Army, defended the socialist country and the destiny of the nation.

In addition, to celebrate Kim Jong Il's 70th birthday, the first bronze statue of him was unveiled in Pyongyang on Tuesday on the grounds of the Mansudae Art Studio. Top political and military leaders attended the unveiling ceremony, but Kim Jong Un, the country's new leader and son of Kim Jong Il, missed the event.

The sculptors say Kim Jong Un ordered them to create the statue and that they're working on another at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, where a giant statue of his father Kim Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK, has stood for decades.

Ro Ik Hwa, sculptor with Mansudae Art Studio said: "This project was initiated by our respected general Kim Jong Un and thanks to his detailed guidance, we could finish a draft quickly and complete the statue within two months. We worked day and night to complete it, showing the loyalty of our people."

Also on Tuesday, a Flower Exhibition opened in Pyongyang, as part of Kim Jong Il's birthday celebrations.

Other commemorative activities included a firework display at late leader's birthplace, and the issuing of a commemorative stamp.

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